How do Chinese people view America?

According to the Guardian, Republican front runner Donald Trump has a less than favorable outlook from foreign countries, including China. One of the largest trade partners of the U.S., China has become an interesting talking point for Trump, who has expressed anxiety over the rather large trade deficit that exists between the two countries.

As it turns out, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that Trump is not alone in his trepidation. Both American and Chinese citizens have surprising opinions of their counterparts across the Pacific. There is considerable variability on either side of the equation, of course, but as the U.S. presidential election heats up, perhaps Pew's findings will bolster Chinese-American relations as a major issue.

Here's what the survey found:

Lukewarm attitudes

In a 2015 poll, American and Chinese citizens were asked about their opinions of the other country. It's worth noting that this pertains to economic and political relationships, not things related to culture or more intimate ties. Regardless, the results were tepid at best.

Just 38 percent of Americans reported having a favorable view of China. Pew found that worldwide, 55 percent of people across 39 countries have a positive opinion of the People's Republic. On the other side of the coin, 44 percent of Chinese respondents gave the U.S. an enthusiastic review, compared to a global median of 69 percent.

When these results are broken down by age group, however, a new trend becomes clear. For young people in both countries, over half of those polled under the age of 30 had a positive outlook for the other country. In adults 50 years or older, however, less than a third of respondents had a positive view of China or the U.S.

Economic concerns

Americans reported being most worried about problems relating to cyber security, human rights issues and the economy. Bloomberg stated that China owns over $1 trillion in bonds, securities and other future holdings, and though anxieties around this issue may be overblown, this massive pile of debt was listed as the top concern for adults in the U.S. For individuals worried about any personal debt or financial woes, taking paid surveys online is an easy and secure way to earn money at home.

Chinese adults, meanwhile, believe that the U.S. is working to limit their country's influence and economic prowess. Over half of all respondents in China stated that they believe that the American government is preventing China from becoming a leading super power. Regardless, two-thirds of Chinese individuals polled said that the country has or will surpass the U.S. in global influence.

Whether or not the U.S. government is in fact engaged in any such efforts, 46 percent of Americans stated that they believe that China is en route to surpass the country as the world's largest super power if it hasn't already.

That being said, 48 percent of adults in the U.S. believe that China will never be able to equal or pass American influence around the world. Just 16 percent of Chinese respondents had the same opinion.